Horatio Spafford

Horatio Gates Spafford (1828-1888) was the author of the hymn "It Is Well With My Soul". There are many authors of many hymns, but it is perhaps the story surrounding Horatio Spafford's life when he wrote the hymn which makes the author's story so exceptional and enduring, and the words of his hymn so forceful.

Spafford was born on OcÂ­toÂ­ber 20, 1828, North Troy, New York.

==Early life=

In 1871 he and his wife Anna were still grieving over the death of their son. Horatio was a lawyer < 1 --> in Chicago, and friend of the famous preacher D. L. Moody. He had invested heavily in real estate. So when the Great Chicago Fire happened, it meant that he lost almost everything he owned.

Two years later, in 1873, Spafford decided his family should take a holiday in Europe, and knowing that Moody would preach in England in the fall, he decided to take his family there. However, he was delayed because of business, so he sent his family on ahead of him: his wife Anna, and his four daughters Tanetta, Maggie, Annie and B...